Peak Colors And Plenty Of Apples Make For A Memorable Autumn Season

It's peak apple picking season with plenty of apples available at area farms including Masker Orchards, Warwick, NY. (PRNewsFoto/Masker Orchards) Facebook Twitter Pinterest

It's peak apple picking season with plenty of apples available at area farms including Masker Orchards, Warwick, NY. (PRNewsFoto/Masker Orchards)

WARWICK, N.Y., Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The cool weather means colors are reaching their peak along with apple-picking in the NY Metro area with many favorite varieties fully ripened for picking. Even though the NY Apple Association anticipates New York's apple production to be lighter than normal, there are plenty of apples for picking throughout the Hudson Valley.

"These next few weeks are peak for fall colors and apple picking," says Apple George, co-owner of Masker Orchards located in nearby Warwick, NY. "Do not be fooled by what you might have heard; many of the area farms have plenty of apples for picking – we in fact have the best crop of apples in forty years!"

The dramatic turns in the weather have had an impact on apple farms this season; in fact, apples are ripening one-two weeks ahead of schedules on the average. Apples are also sweeter and larger than normal this year due to the timely rain and hot summer months. Plus, the late September/early October sunshine has contributed to higher sugar contents in crops, resulting in even more sweeter and flavorful apples.

"Not only are there plenty of apples, but the best tasting apples thanks to Mother Nature," continues Apple George. "We will be expecting to be open later than normal this season through early November due to the plentiful crop."

With more than 200 acres and 25,000 trees, Masker Orchards, celebrating its 99th year of operation, is one of the regions only pick-it-yourself orchards where visitors can drive right up to any of the 14 varieties of apple trees and enjoy a day pickin' family fun.

Masker Orchards is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and offers free parking, free admission, and free bags for pickin. Visitors can also eat all the apples they want for free while pickin their favorite varieties.

For more information and ripening schedule, call 845-986-1058 or visit www.maskers.com.

Masker Orchards is conveniently located just 50 miles northwest of New York City, approximately a one hour drive from the George Washington bridge and only 35 minutes from Paramus, New Jersey.